2006 Colorado and Western U.S. National Parks Motorcycle Tour

Beginning Mileage: 91, 290

Day 1
8 June 2006
Left Rochester, Nh at 1000 after a late breakfast, had light rain a good part of the day, and finally rode out of it. Stopped in Brookville, Pa, 605 miles.

Day 2
Continued West, cloudy but no rain. The sun came out late in the afternoon, it reached 90 degrees. Stopped in St Peters, Missouri, just West of St Louis. Traffic was jammed so I stopped, 730 miles.

Day 3
450 miles down the Interstate to McPherson, Kansas. 95 degrees! Visited friends Bill and Bruce, had a good time.

Day 4
Made it into Colorado on I-70, and then took U.S. 24 to Colorado Springs.

Day 5

Left Colorado Springs rode up Pikes Peak, then Mt. Evens, both summits over 14,000 feet. Great ride, staying Estes Park.

Day 6
Left the hotel and took a ride south on the peak to peak highway, came back and had breakfast. Then headed into Rocky Mountain National park. Breath taking scenery up at 12,000 feet. Left the park and rode to Warren and Steamboat Springs and down to Leadville.

Day 7
Left Leadville then headed West on Co. rt. 82, up over Independence pass. Continued on routes 133, 92, and U.S. 50 back to Montrose, checking Black Canyon National Park on the way, great ride and great scenery today.

Day 8

Left Montrose and took 550 down to Durango, spectacular! Continued to the 4 corners and finally Holbrook, Az. Made a side trip to visit friends Molly and Ray, had a nice evening.

Day 9
Left Holbrook, and went through the Petrified Forest Park. Then went to Grand Canyon, great weather, took a chopper ride.

Day 10
Left Grand Canyon, headed north into Utah, went through Zion national park, very nice.
Headed toward Bryce, NP. Traffic was stopped on US 89, just North of Utah 14. Turned around and took 14 to Cedar City, stayed there.

Day 11
Left Cedar City and headed back East across Utah Rt. 14, temp got as low as 36 going over the pass at 10,000 feet. Continued on to Bryce, and then Capital Reef NP. From there went to Moab, 101 degrees, stayed there. 65 degree temp swing today!

Day 12
Left Moab early before the heat and went Canyon land and Arches National parks. From there took Utah 128 to I-70 into Colorado and went to Colorado National monument. From there headed north and back into Utah. Stopped and visited the dinosaur national monument. Staying in Vernal, Utah.

Day 13
Left Vernal and headed North took pictures of the Flaming Gorge Dam. Continued North into Wyoming and into Grand Teton Park, the Rockies were beautiful. Continued into Yellowstone. I found that getting to be very much of a tourist trap. I took a picture of Old faithful doing its thing, then headed out the North entrance into Montana. Stayed in Livingston.

Day 14
Headed North on U.S. 89, beautiful ride, deer and antelope in the open ranges. Also a section through the Lewis and Clark National Forest. 89 all the way to Glacier National Park. The “going to the sun” road was not open all the way through. At least it was open to the summit of Logan Pass. I did not get that far when I was there last year. Once again the Rockies were spectacular. Pointed the Wing East on U.S. Route 2, stayed in Havre, Montana.

Day 15
Left Havre set my clocks ahead for the hour I would be losing crossing into the central time zone. Route 2 to Grand Rapids Minnesota. More road work than I would have liked.

Day 16
Left Grand Rapids, once again adjusted the time an hour ahead, made it to Imlay City, Michigan. Crossed the Mackinac Bridge, witch joins Michigan’s upper peninsula to the rest of the state. Hit a deer today! U.S. Route 2 in Western Michigan. She almost made it by. Just clipped her hind leg with my toe and highway peg, no injury or damage.

Day 17
Left Imlay city at 7:15 EDT. Crossed through Ontario and into NY. The bike rolled 100,000 miles while on the NY State Thru Way. Arrived Somersworth at 6:10, just over 800 miles today. Ending mileage is 100,390. 9100 miles total. Overall Great trip, no rain other than day 1. No problems or breakdowns. Took in 12 National Parks.